Dapper Fit Week 8: Office Energy

Many people have issues with having a sustainable amount of energy through an entire days worth of work, school, errands and activities. Some people run out of steam in the afternoon during a work day and some people just can’t seem to find energy to even start their day. There are many things that you can do throughout the day to help keep your energy up and not feel like crashing!

Coffee is not breakfast

First thing you can do to kick start your day is get a GOOD BREAKFAST; too many people hit the snooze button and end up having to rush out of the house with only a cup of coffee. Coffee does indeed give you a quick boost, however, it makes you crash. Get a complete breakfast with protein and complex carbs like oatmeal to give you more energy that lasts longer. Complex carbs take longer to break down which means your body will have more sustainable energy for a longer period of time.

More frequent meals!

Do not walk out of the door with only a cup of coffee then load up on a huge lunch! Huge meals put you in the “food coma” state where all you want to do is take a nice nap! Smaller portioned meals throughout the day provide your body with ongoing energy without giving you the stuffed feeling. Make sure your meals are balanced with proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats as they all play their own vital role on providing your body with energy and support.

On that note, include more fiber in your meals because fiber takes longer to digest which makes you feel full for a longer time. Fiber also plays an important factor in optimal health.

Stay hydrated!

If you think you are drinking enough water…drink MORE. Avoid sugary drinks at all costs as they too will cause your body to have quick energy boost only to feel even more tired than you were before after the effects wear off. Switch out your sugary drinks with green tea or….more water! Green tea is rich with antioxidants and is a very good drink for good health as it helps fight cancer and heart disease, lowers cholesterol, prevents stroke and diabetes, and also is a natural fat burner.

Get up and move!

If you are the person that has to be in a chair all day then you know the effect that has on the body as far as energy goes. Make a not or set an alarms to get up every couple hours and stretch or go take a walk. Stepping outside and getting some fresh air gives the body a nice refresher and enables you to clear your head for a little bit. When your body is sitting in a chair all day your body does not stay awake the longer you sit. Getting up and doing something every so often wakes your body up and gets everything going again. If you have time during your lunch, do a quick workout before you eat!

Get a good night rest

This one seems pretty obvious and self explanatory yet many people still do not get a good 7-8 hours of sleep. Sleep is vital for your health and makes a huge difference when it comes to how your body functions the day following. I have found that taking a shower at night right before I go to bed makes me feel fresh and relaxed when I go to sleep. Then when I wake up, shower is one less thing I have to worry about; this could give you more time to eat that good breakfast I talked about. Your body recovers while you sleep, if you do not let it recover then you will struggle with functioning the next day. Make sure you’re give proper attention to your sleep!

Email Tyler with your questions and challenges and he will answer them in future on Dapper Fit. Each of you should consult your physician before beginning any exercise or lifestyle change.